Naren's indie round-up/ June 2023, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

The Eli Ali Project feat. Eliezer Botzer and Lucky Ali/ Virtuality 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

The Eli Ali Project consists of Israeli musician Eliezer Botzer and our very own Lucky Ali. After using Hebrew, Hindi and English on their earlier tracks 'On My Way' and 'Amaraya', the singers stick entirely to English on their new release 'Virtuality'.

Bob Stark's lyrics talk of the dangers.of the virtual world and artificial intelligence, requesting people to stay grounded. The song has a nice groove, tight orchestra and supple back-up vocals. Despite being totally in English, there's a certain Indianness and Arabness in the sound. Of course, it doesn't stand out as a Lucky Ali song.

Add to that a fabulous video blending live shots from pre-war Ukraine with animated parts. Directed by Sasha Prilutsky, it's a classy affair. 

Kaustubh Patil/ The One That You Needed

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Mumbai singer-songwriter Kaustubh Patil has earlier released the songs 'No, It's Not A Nightmare' and 'Loving Me'. On his latest single 'The One That You Needed' he expresses the feelings of a man who's done wrong and feeling guilty.

The song begins, "Yes I've done wrong, no I shouldn't have, the things that I've done, the things that I've said, yes I've done wrong", before Kaustubh sings, "I was out of my mind, I was heartless". Get the gist?

While Kaustubh has played guitars himself, Graham Gonsalves joins him on bass. The style is somewhat reminiscent of the balladsy side of the Flaming Lips. The tune had its own charm though.

Sireesha Bhagavatula/ Dheere Dheere

Label: Himesh Reshammiya Music

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer Sireesha Bhagavatula has been active in the South, having done a few songs with A.R. Rahman. Last year, she hit national headlines with 'Ghode Pe Sawaar', 'Phero Na Najariya' and 'Shauq', composed by Amit Trivedi in the OTT film Qala.

Just when you felt she should be doing more Hindi songs, we have 'Dheere Dheere', composed by Shameer Tandon and written by Sameer Anjaan. The opening words are, "Dheere dheere khumaari tumhari mujhpe aisi chadhi, kuch na raha mera mujhmein kaisi yeh gadbadi".

The song has a natural lilt, with use of guitar, wind instruments, tabla and dholak. The video shows a live performance in a studio, and gets repetitive at some point. The good thing is that the tune grows. Sireesha is definitely a voice to look forward to.

Pulkit Jain/ Roshni Ka Sira

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

With a mellifluous voice and a simple approach to composition, Pulkit Jain has been releasing independent singles for a couple of years. His latest 'Roshni Ka Sira' impresses with its neat melody.

The words have been written by Pulkit's sister Palak. After talking of attaining peace and serenity, the main lines are, "Main jab bhi kahin ghum hua, mujhe roshni ka sira, mila tere haath mein".

The charming acoustic guitar arrangement suits the song. Adarsh Jogani's beachside video adds to the aura.

Amruta Natu/ Raaste

Label: GB Originals 

Rating: ****

With words like "Ab jo zindagi se hui hai dosti, toh problems hi gul hui, shikayatein bhi dhul gayee', Amruta Natu's new song 'Raaste' provides a fair bit of motivation. Words and music are by Gaurav Bangia, who had done a fantastic tribute to late singer KK with 'Chal Pada' some months ago.

'Raaste' is accompanied by an appropriate animated video, where director Vinay Pitampally uses a cycle, balloons and a kite as  metaphors. Amruta delivers the song naturally, and the guitars by Ishan Das and the whistle complement the words. It's a simple composition that leaves you with a good feeling.